Combination kneading cloth and shaker bag

ABSTRACT

A combination kneading cloth and shaker bag of generally curvilinear configuration with a peripheral tubular passage and a drawstring therein for manual operation of the drawstring to draw the kneading cloth into the configuration of a shaker bag for processing the contents of the shaker bag.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combination kneading cloth and shaker bag.

A generally generally curvilinear kneading cloth is adapted to be spread on a surface for ready access to items thereon. The kneading cloth has a generally peripheral tubular passage and a drawstring disposed therein and manually operable to draw and re-configure the kneading cloth into a shaker bag.

A kneading cloth is spread out on a surface such as a table top for placing thereon food items for processing, such as coating, rolling, or other appropriate steps. After the processing of the food items on the kneading cloth, the drawstring is operated to close and convert the kneading cloth to a shaker bag for further processing and handling of the food items, such as applying a coating, and temporary storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in its shaker bag configuration;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention in its kneading cloth configuration with fish and coating mix thereon;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the kneading cloth of FIG. 2 showing the fish with coating mix applied;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention in shaker bag configuration with a body of dough being acted upon with a rolling pin;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken at line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a shaker embodiment of the invention with the upper portion different from the-shaker bag of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention wherein a tubular drawstring passage thereof is disposed radially inwardly of the outer diameter of a shaker bag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, a combination kneading cloth and shaker bag 10 of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as comprising a generally curvilinear bakers cloth 12 (FIG. 2) which is preferably formed of a non-porous material. A drawstring 14 extends through a tubular passage 16 defined at the periphery of the bakers cloth, and is sufficiently elongated to encircle the bakers cloth with an additional length, typically three inches, to provide a loop handle 18 for manual grasping.

The combination bakers cloth and shaker bag may preferably be formed of a waterproof or semi-waterproof material, typically nylon, and be washable.

The drawstring 14 is adjustable between an open position wherein the drawstring is relaxed and extended as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a closed position of FIGS. 1 and 6 to define a shaker bag.

The drawstring feature thus enables the conversion of the device quickly and easily from a flat lying bakers cloth into a shaker bag, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, of about 20 inches in diameter.

The drawstring 14 extends through the passage 16 which has an opening 20 for extension outwardly of the of the drawstring, thus to provide a loop handle 18 for manual grasping, and for suspending the bag 10 from a peg or the like.

The combination kneading cloth and shaker bag 10 is typically generally curvilinear in configuration and lies flat to serve as a bakers cloth and the like. The drawstring is utilized to close it up into a shaker bag configuration with space therein to accommodate fish, porkchops, etc.

With the device in its extended mode lying flat, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, it is disposed on a table top or the like for ready access for viewing, handling, and processing the contents thereon, as in arranging meat, fish, etc., and insuring good coverage of any coating mix 22, or rolling a pie crust 24.

While lying flat, it facilitates application of coatings to meat, poultry, fish, etc., the invention thus avoids the necessity, inconvenience and time in transferring items into another container or bag.

Various materials or seasonings, such as flour, etc. may be disposed on the bakers cloth together with fish, meat, poultry, etc., the cloth then pulled by the drawstring into its shaker bag configuration, then shaken to coat the contents (fish, etc) with the seasonings. The shaker bag is opened and the fish, etc. can then be placed in a pan of hot oil for cooking or into a baking dish and into an oven for cooking. Various coatings may be utilized with materials being prepared, such as cornmeal, bread crumbs, etc. Prior to storage the drawstring may be secured and tied to avoid spillage. The device of the invention, in its bag configuration, enables the retention of leftover items, coatings, corn meal, etc.

The present invention eliminates the inconvenience, time and mess of placing items from the bakers cloth to other containers after being disposed on the bakers cloth.

In its shaker bag configuration, the device enables retention and temporary storage of leftover items such as coatings, cornmeal, crumbs, etc., preferably in dry condition to prevent mildew.

The present invention eliminates the well-known problem associated with the utilization of paper bags, which, when wet or damp from the meat, fish, etc., readily break or tear open, resulting in the contents of the bag falling out onto the floor or counter, thus spilling contents and requiring cleaning up of the fallen contents.

Referring to FIG. 7, a modified form of the invention is shown wherein a tubular drawstring passage 16 is provided inwardly of the periphery of the bag 10. In the open bag configuration, the kneading cloth extends radially outwardly of the passage, thus to provide a more attractive appearance of the upper portion, especially when drawn together by the drawstring, as indicated in FIG. 6. A knob on the loop handle facilitates grasping and handling.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the preferred embodiments discussed above without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is established by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A combination kneading cloth and shaker bag comprising: a kneading cloth adapted to be spread on a surface for ready access to items thereon, said kneading cloth having a generally peripheral tubular passage, and a drawstring disposed in said tubular passage, said drawstring being manually operable to re-configure the kneading cloth into a shaker bag for processing and handling of contents therein.
 2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said drawstring is of a length to extend through said peripheral passage and extend a distance externally of the shaker bag to provide a loop handle for gripping.
 3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the combination kneading cloth and shaker bag is formed of a material which is substantially leakproof to retain liquid items therein.
 4. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the shaker bag is closed at its upper portion by the manual operation of the drawstring.
 5. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the shaker bag is formed of nylon material.
 6. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said kneading cloth has a diameter of about 20 inches.
 7. A combination according to claim 1 and further comprising a knob disposed on said outer portion of the drawstring to facilitate manual grasping.
 8. A combination kneading cloth and shaker bag comprising: a generally curvilinear kneading cloth adapted to be spread on a surface for ready access to items thereon, said kneading cloth having a generally peripheral tubular passage, and a drawstring disposed in said tubular passage and extending therefrom to define a loop for manual grasping, said drawstring being manually operable to draw and re-configure the kneading cloth into a shaker bag for processing and handling of contents therein.
 9. A combination according to claim 8 wherein the shaker bag is formed of nylon material.
 10. A combination according to claim 8 wherein said kneading cloth has a diameter of about 20 inches.
 11. A combination according to claim 8 wherein said passage is defined by stitching about a peripheral portion of the kneading cloth.
 12. A combination according to claim 8 and further comprising a knob disposed on said outer portion of the drawstring to facilitate manual grasping. 